Yesterday Auntie Mariah took the train home to Iowa.
Today R drove back to Tulsa.
Tonight it was just me, the kids and the dog.
It was weird setting just three plates at the supper table.
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“You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.”
~ Frederick Buechner
After about 10 days of traveling, I finally got home on Wednesday night — the plane touched down at 11:55pm. By the time I retrieved my suitcase, it was about 12:15am, then I found Gamma waiting for me outside of the baggage claim area, and it was about 12:25am by the time we arrived home. And, yes, I had to be at work at 8am that same morning! I was definitely dragging on Thursday and Friday from almost 10 days of being out of our normal routine, between traveling, and having Gamma here. Moco also started soccer practice with her new team on Thursday, and we had originally planned to go out to eat on Friday night for her birthday, but opted to stay in instead with chicken & shrimp lo mein and chantilly birthday cake.
On Saturday morning we dropped Gamma off at the train station, and pretty much went straight into our regular weekend routine: running errands. Drive-thru teller, post office, Walgreens… and Chuck E. Cheese. Okay, okay — Chuck E. Cheese is not part of our regular weekend routine, but we had a great time! One large sausage pizza, four soft drinks, and over 200 tokens. Bubba liked the action video games (fighter pilots, shoot ‘em up) but played a little Skee-ball. Moco tried out most of the games, too, but really liked this haunted house game and had some pretty long strands of tickets before we knew it. Auntie Mariah and I found the real-life Coin Dozer game (we both have the app on our iPod/iPad), and it didn’t take long before we were like addicts — cashing in $20 for more tokens and stealing requesting others from the kids to launch tokens into the machine to make the big piles of coins fall. We earned over 300 tickets on that game alone, which pretty much “paid” for Moco’s prizes, so I suppose they can’t complain. ;) By the end of our two hours, we had well over 3000 tickets, which included about 1500 left over from Chuck E. Cheese trips in 2007 and 2008! I think my favorite parts of the day were seeing Moco and Bubba’s “sketched” picture — two smiling kiddos squished together in the booth (note to self: scan and upload that pic) — and playing air hockey with Bubba (he won, 7-5) while Justin Bieber’s “Baby” played in the background. And, yes, we were singing and dancing to it while whacking the puck at each other!
Today (Sunday) we spent half the day in Champaign for festival games for Moco’s new soccer team. She only went to one practice with this team before this weekend. Their team won the first game, but then lost the second game. It was in the 70s, but incredibly windy, which made for less than ideal playing (and spectating, and driving) conditions! Moco had one assist, at least one really sweet move in her footwork, and a couple good plays on the ball, shielding it and making some good turns. She is a little rusty, as it has been a good five months since she has played (basketball season was in the middle of that break, too), so we’ve got some work to do to build her confidence, sharpen her skills, and create some momentum. Moco is a good soccer player; on her rec team, she is one of the better players in terms of skills and knowledge of the game. Having her with the competitive team — especially one that is co-ed — is a challenge for her. She’s out of her comfort zone playing with boys and with players who are at the same level as her or better, but this gives her the opportunity to learn a lot about herself, soccer, and competition. Additionally, she’ll be playing up to five days a week between practices and games! It’s going to be busy around here, shuttling kids to and from activities!!!
In any event, we’re back to our regular schedule this week, with the addition of soccer practices. April is going to be a busy month, and we’ll be doing a lot of our summer scheduling in the next few weeks… let’s hope we can get everything squared away sooner than later!!!
It’s the month to give thanks! Each day this month, I posted about the things and people for which I’m thankful on Facebook. Here’s a recap (with a few modifications):
11/1 - Today I’m thankful for my other half, Daddy ♥, who is also celebrating his birthday today! 10 years, 2 kids, 1 dog, a new house, a bucket list, and still so many adventures ahead of us!
11/2 - Today I’m thankful for Moco and Bubba, and all the laughter, love and joy they bring to my life. I have learned a lot about fortitude, patience, courage, respect, responsibility, tolerance, flexibility, accountability, prudence, discipline, faith, hope, humility, justice, loyalty, selflessness, trust, trustworthiness, and (of course) love through my children. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be their mama!
11/3 - Today I am thankful for the random little moments in life that make me grin — like Bubba insisting that we raise our water bottles and say “cheers!” as we started supper or our Vizsla draped over Daddy’s lap and loving every minute of the attention…
11/4 - Even though it’s a 12 hour workday, today I am thankful for my job and my career in higher education. On this evening’s agenda: educating prospective students and their parents on the benefits of the community college experience! Go Hawks!
11/5 - Today I am thankful for the inevitability of change and the opportunity to take a deep breath, re-evaluate the landscape, and keep on keeping on.
“Leaders establish the vision for the future and set the strategy for getting there; they cause change. They motivate and inspire others to go in the right direction and they, along with everyone else, sacrifice to get there.”
~John Kotter
11/6 - Today I’m thankful for the opportunity to sleep in! Woke up with curls in my nose, with my boy snuggled up next to me, while R, Moco & Deacon are pheasant hunting.
11/7 - Today I am thankful to be able to spoil my kids a little: cinnamon butterbraid for breakfast, Megamind in 3D, then trading in leftover Halloween candy for FREE Noodles (kids under 12 only). Trading candy for noodles is spoiling, right?!
11/8 - Today I am thankful for the influence of Auntie Mariah on my children. I think.
11/9 - Today I am thankful for my parents for more reasons than I could possibly list… and we’re looking forward to heading “home” to New Mexico for Xmas!!!
11/10 - Tonight Bubba said he wanted ‘the song about 2nd base’. We couldn’t figure it out, but then George Strait performed on CMAs: ”Life’s not the breaths you take/The breathing in and out/That gets you through the day/Ain’t what it’s all about/Ya just might miss the point/Try’n to win the race/Life’s not the breaths you take/But the moments that take your breath away”. Today I’m thankful for that reminder.
11/11 - Today I am thankful for the service men and women who serve and sacrifice for our country as well as the families and friends that love and support them!!!
11/12 - Today I am thankful for Sherry and all she has done for our family over the past 4+ years. She has helped shape Bubba’s sense of humor, his love for Troy Polamalu & the Steelers, and his attachment to a fringed piece of fleece named Boo. It’s hard to find people you can trust with your children, but we’re fortunate to have Sherry and her family in our lives!!!
11/13 - Today I am thankful for a final game win vs. EIU and a winning season for the Redbirds. I am also thankful for a full house with “Uncle” Tommy, Uncle Danny, Aunt Lisa, and Cousin Mattie this weekend!!!
11/14 - Today I am thankful for our new house and those who help us fill it with love and laughter. This weekend the table leaf came out… every bed and couch was claimed… wings, pizza, honey crisp apple cider, & Dunkin’ Donuts coffee were consumed in obscene amounts. My only complaint is that the weekend went by so quickly!!!
“The ornaments of your house will be the guests who frequent it.”
~Author Unknown
11/15 - Today I am thankful for my brothers, Tío Javi and Tío Gabi. We have had a lot of fun times over the years, and some not-as-fun times (thank goodness they outgrew the pesky little brothers stage), but I’m very proud to be their sister… and I can’t wait to see them next month!!!
11/16 - Today I’m thankful to start my morning at 5:45am for a 35 minute walk with the dog. My cheeks are rosy and my thighs are numb, but I feel productive already…
11/17 - Today I am thankful for the funny things my kids say. This morning Moco told me, “Dinosaurs aren’t house broken, you know” while explaining a short play about cavemen. And Bubba told me, “You smell like beef and cheddar”… to which I conveniently replied, “You mean I don’t smell like Santa?”
11/18 - Today I am thankful for Unks, the sister-in-law otherwise known as Auntie Mariah. She took us up on an offer to live with us while she knocks out her first two years of college, and we’re glad she’s here… although she’s probably thinking “3 months down, 17 more before I can escape these fools!!!”
11/19 - Today I am thankful for the AAWCC Lunch & Learn with Terry Mullin… he made 12 different holiday hors d’oeuvres and and desserts in one hour in Heartland’s new demo kitchen. The baked brie and caramel pie were out of this world!
11/20 - Today I am thankful for a weekend with Papa! After a lazy morning at home, he took Moco & Bubba to the park. Auntie Mariah & I made homemade hibachi chicken & veggies with rice and a caramel pie. Papa and the kids are going to watch a movie OnDemand while Auntie Mariah & I see Harry Potter!!!
11/21 - Today I am thankful for the creativity and frugality that runs in our family… Moco saw a doll bunk bed she wanted, but Papa and I decided we could probably do something for cheaper. Two free boxes from Sam’s Club, four pieces of wood @ 97¢ each, a few minutes with a hot glue gun — and here it is! Still needs to be decorated and mattresses & bedding added, but it fits 2 American Girl dolls perfectly!
11/22 - Today I am thankful for the last couple hours of peace & quiet, just lounging in bed with the laptop. Kids are asleep, Daddy and Deacon are out of town… sometimes I just need some “me” time while still in the comfort of my own home, you know?
11/23 - Yesterday I was thankful that Daddy called to say he was headed back from Kansas. Except now it’s today and he won’t be home for several more hours… but at least he’s on the way!
11/24 - Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday bc it’s all about food, family & friends. Growing up, we spent many Thanksgivings with our Iowa State “family”. Today I am thankful for our spin on tradition: Daddy & I are also Iowa State grads and now spend turkey days with family in Iowa. We wish we could spend the day with all of our extended family & friends… much ♥ to each and every one of you!
“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.
Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”
~ Jane Howard
11/25 – Happy Thanksgiving! Today I continue to be thankful for everyone and everything I have posted about each day this month… Here’s to family, friends, food, health, happiness & love this holiday season and always!
11/26 - Today am I thankful for a dog who hardly ever barks. The guests across the hall went out for the evening and theirs won’t stop!!!
11/27 - Today I am thankful for another great day with my family. Sleeping in with Daddy & the kids, spending time with Grandma Lavera & Great Grandma, driving back in the crammed truck, grocery shopping and prepping meals with Auntie Mariah… I wish these long weekends didn’t have to come to an end!
11/28 - Today I am thankful for a second turkey dinner… but I’m thoroughly stuffed and ready to get back on track! Headed to bed so I can get up early for a workout!!!
11/29 - Today I am thankful for moments like these… I would have taken a picture of Moco, too, but her hygienist was lightning fast!
11/30 - Today I am thankful for another month of daily thanks!
♥ Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel. ♥
~Author Unknown
My mom’s cousin posted a bunch of family pictures on Facebook this past week. Thought I would share some of them…
Gamma (top left) with her parents and siblings
Gamma (center) with her siblings
Gamma (far right) with her aunt, uncle, cousins and nieces
Gamma (in white dress on left) and family
Papa and Gamma on their wedding day!
Auntie Nam Nam, Ong Co (Moco & Bubba’s great-grandfather) holding Tio Gabi, Uncle Huy, Ba Co (Moco & Bubba’s great-grandmother), and Mommy
Some of these photos were brought from Vietnam. They didn’t carry much with them when they left, but they did manage to get some of the family photo albums. It amazes me that these pictures survived quite a journey, and it is now so easy to share these memories via Facebook, email, and blog!
My daily horoscope on Astrology.com today said, “You take great pride in at least one major aspect of your life — friends, career, family or something else. Today is a good time to reflect on your accomplishments and figure out how to go farther.”
It’s naturally a good time to reflect on life as 2009 comes to a close, especially when it comes to my family. These aren’t all accomplishments per se, but here’s a recap of the 2009 Adventures of Moco & Bubba and Mommy & Daddy:
What we’re looking forward to in 2010:
I’m still pondering my own New Year’s resolutions and goals and thinking about including the kids in the goal-setting for this next year. We have a lot of things in mind for things to accomplish individually and as a family… we’re definitely looking forward to many, many more adventures with Moco and Bubba in 2010!
My sister-in-law (I love saying that!) updated her blog yesterday and included some of the official fancy-shmancy pictures from the wedding photographer. She and Gabi had told me that our family wins “the most photogenic” family award from the wedding:
This picture totally captures Bubba & Moco in personality — Moco, the serious and quiet one, and Bubba, the little goofball. I can hear his voice saying “cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!” through his gritted teeth and smile, as he was grinning well before the photographers were ready to take the pictures. The look on Moco’s face says “I’m not really sure what you want me to do, Mr. Photographer, because you didn’t give me exact instructions. Sheesh.” I’m leaning towards the center, probably to avoid getting flyaway curls in my mouth, and Daddy looks so very handsome!
This picture makes me smile! I love my family very, very, very much!
Thank you, Kitty Cat, for sharing this picture and the others on your blog. Can’t wait to see the rest!!!
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